Seventy-one percent of Sacramento State students support a fee increase that will contribute to the funding of the Wellness Recreation Events Center, according to a recent survey.

Sent to 26,000 students in February, the survey assessed students’ opinions of Sac State’s need for upgraded facilities. The 2,600 valid responses determined the details of the RWEC project.

At the Associated Students, Inc. election on April 27-28, students will vote whether to support a $110 fee increase that will supply a vital portion of the funding for the project.

Leslie Davis, the director of the University Union, said that the fate of the RWEC project depends entirely on that student vote.

“We have no way to build it without the student fee,” Davis said. “It’s the students’ choice.”

If students vote the RWEC into existence next month, a $10 fee increase per semester will begin fall 2004.

ASI President Peter Ucovich said that President Alexander Gonzalez has committed $37 million to the project. Gonzalez plans to fund-raise $25 million and lease the facility in order to obtain the remaining money.

Students will begin paying the full $110 fee increase per academic period when the $25 million has been fund-raised and construction has started.

“Students only start paying when we start building,” Davis said.

Construction is tentatively set to begin during the 2006-07 academic year.The University Union and the Student Health Center have committed $2 million to initiate the first phase of the project.

At an emergency board meeting on March 18, the ASI Board of Directors voted to support the RWEC project. Ucovich said that ASI is committed to educating the campus about the positive aspects that the RWEC could bring Sac State.”This (facility) is a one of a kind in the nation,” Ucovich said. “Bettering campus life will result in increasing graduation and retention rates.”

Davis said that the 236,000 square foot facility, which will be located to the north of the Hornet Stadium, consists of three interrelated components — recreation, wellness and events.

The recreation center will include a 300-seat movie theater. Davis said that students will receive free admission to the theater.

Some additional features of the recreation center include a bowling center, a rock-climbing wall, an indoor pool, racquetball courts and three basketball courts.

Nicole Sandlin, a graduate assistant who is in involved with Recreational Sports’ student activities, said that Sac State’s current facilities allow only five of Recreational Sports 5-on-5 basketball games to be played simultaneously.”The courts are the biggest thing, because with them we can run nine courts,” Sandlin said.

Davis said that the social aspect of the recreation center is just as important as the fitness aspect.

“Having the facility here will encourage people to get more involved,” Davis said. “It’s an opportunity for social interaction.”

The wellness center will be equipped with an emergency service center, allowing injured students to be treated on campus rather than at a hospital.Other components of the wellness center include physical therapy, dental and optical care and therapeutic massages. Additionally, nursing students are expected to be able to intern at the wellness center.

The events center will consist of an 8,000-seat arena that will host graduations, concerts and guest speakers. Additionally, the wellness center will include a 7,000 square foot auxiliary gym.

Students will use the RWEC for free, and alumni, faculty and staff will be able to buy a pass to use the facility.

Sandlin said that the recreation, wellness and events aspects of the facility would benefit all students.

“This facility will benefit students, whatever situation they are in,” Sandlin said. “It’s not just for the athletes; it’s really for everyone.”